Triple Tree Aerodrome (www.tta.aero) located in Woodruff, South Carolina (a stones throw from the Greenville/Spartanburg metro) is perhaps better known in the Remote Control aviation circles than it is in General Aviation, however this little (well, actually quite big) private field has a lot to offer for full-size aviators as well.
Sunset over the 2014 Triple-Tree September Fly-In
Founded by Pat Hartness in the late 1990’s, Triple Tree today features an immaculate 7000ft turf runway surrounded by acres of manicured landscape, camp sites, fishing holes, and amenities for the site’s numerous fly-ins and events each year. While technically not open to the public, Triple Tree’s numerous fly-in events welcome spectators, so long as they are licensed pilots, or hold membership in one of several aviation organizations (EAA, AOPA, etc.) Access to spectate or to camp on the grounds is available for a very modest fee.
Triple Tree hosts several full-scale aviation events throughout the year. The typical annual lineup includes the Chilly-Chili Fly-In Lunch (mid-winter), Uncle-John Fly-In (mid-spring) and the week-long Triple Tree Fly-In, held each September. While the September fly-in is undoubtedly the main event, even the single-day fly-ins typically attract 150-300 aircraft arrivals; the September event often reaches close to 1000. Triple Tree’s fly-ins are at heart General Aviation events, hosting an endless stream of common GA types however large warbirds such as DC-3s, C-46s, Corsairs and P-51s are also not uncommon. Triple Tree’s locally based aircraft fleet includes a P-51D, Stearman, BT-13, and a Spartan 7W.
Triple Tree is truly an aviation photographer’s dream. Spectators and guests are permitted to roam the perimeter of the entire runway. Several campsites are available just feet from the runway edge (nothing better than being woken up at dawn by the roar of a BT-13 or P-51). Triple Tree’s runway is oriented roughly North/South (Runway 3/21), so golden hour light is available both dawn and dusk. It’s easy to pick a spot, settle in, and shoot a constant stream of arrivals; make sure you have plenty of spare batteries and SD cards.
Triple Tree doesn’t host a conventional airshow; don’t expect demonstrations or aerobatics. Triple Tree’s main attraction is the “Fun, Fellowship, and Hospitality.” Regardless, there’s typically some mid-day excitement, perhaps a DC-3 formation fly-by, or just a couple quick laps by a P-51.
Triple Tree exists purely due to the donations and hard work of volunteers and supporters; there are many and they’ve done an excellent job. If you’re in the Greenville/Spartanburg area in mid-September, I highly recommend stopping by and checking it out, you won’t be disappointed.
This is the first in a series of posts highlighting some of my favorite little-known fly-ins and airshows. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please let me know in the comments section below. Thanks!